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Commotion in Reps as Another Labour Party Member Defects to APC

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By Gloria Ikibah

There was chaos in the House of Representatives on Thursday during plenary, as opposition members protested the defection of another Labour Party (LP) member to the All Progressives Congress (APC).

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The lawmaker, representing Jos South/Jos East Federal Constituency of Plateau State, announced his defection, prompting opposition members to demand that his seat be declared vacant.

Naijablitznews.com reports that this defection, brings the total number of Labour Party members joining the ruling APC to six within a week, witnessed by former Plateau State Governor, Senator Simon Lalong.

In his letter of defection, read by Speaker Abbas Tajudeen, the lawmaker cited internal crises in the Labour Party and his desire to align with the policies and developmental goals of the Bola Ahmed Tinubu-led APC government.

He stated, “I believe my decision to offer effective representation to my constituency can be better achieved within the APC. My defection is not for personal gain but to contribute to national development and peacebuilding.”

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Deputy Minority Whip George Ozodinobi, while not opposing the defection, remarked, “Even though there is no crisis in the LP, I don’t want to repeat myself. I wish those defecting good luck. We’ll meet again in 2027, and the end will justify the means.”

Minority Leader Kingsley Chinda, however, rejected the defection, stating, “The letter of defection should not be accepted because the lawmaker has not fulfilled constitutional provisions. He should first join the APC at his ward level before submitting his defection letter to the House and facing the consequences.”

Chinda accused the House of accepting the defection prematurely, and said, “The House is putting the cart before the horse by accepting the letter without following constitutional procedures.”

In response, Yusuf Adamu Gagdi (APC, Plateau) defended the defection, arguing that the lawmaker had fulfilled all constitutional requirements. He added, “Section 40 of the Constitution allows anyone to form or join a political party. Out of the eight House members from Plateau State, seven are now in the APC.”

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Mark Esset (PDP, Akwa Ibom) urged lawmakers to uphold the Constitution, he said, “As parliamentarians, we must show Nigerians that we respect the law by correctly applying its provisions.”

Former Deputy Speaker Ahmed Idris Wase supported the Speaker’s acceptance of the defection letter, cautioning against using inappropriate language in Parliament.

He said, “The Speaker acted within the law in accepting the letter.”

The session ended without resolving the dispute over the legality of the defection.

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Kalu Leads House Delegation to Ogun for Condolence Visit

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…eulogizes late Onanuga, ex-speaker Bankole’s mother

By Gloria Ikibah

Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rep. Benjamin Okezie Kalu, CON, has described the late Deputy Chief Whip, Rt. Hon. Adewunmi Oriyomi Onanuga, as an irreplaceable parliamentarian known for her vocal nature and friendly disposition.

Leading a delegation on behalf of the Speaker, Rep. Tajudeen Abbas, Kalu visited Sagamu, Ogun State, on a condolence mission to the late Onanuga’s family.

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Addressing the bereaved, he praised her dedication and influence, noting her unique presence in plenary sessions and unwavering support for her colleagues.

Kalu consoled her mother, Chief Mrs. Comfort Folashade Etutu, and her children, urging them to trust in God for comfort and strength. He assured the family of the House’s continued support and prayed against further untimely deaths in the household.

Earlier, Kalu led the delegation to Abeokuta for the fidau prayers of the late Mrs. Monsurat Atinuke Bankole, mother of former House Speaker Rt. Hon. Dimeji Bankole.

He lauded her sacrifices, which contributed to the success of her children, including the former Speaker’s contributions to the National Assembly.

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N800bn Inadequate for Nigeria’s Road Projects, Minister Umahi Tell Lawmakers

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By Gloria Ikibah

The Minister of Works, Dave Umahi, has described the N800 billion allocated to his ministry in the proposed 2025 budget as grossly insufficient to address Nigeria’s growing road infrastructure needs.

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Umahi stated this during the 2025 budget defence session held on Friday by the House Committee on Works, chaired by Rep. Akin Alabi.

Speaking candidly, Umahi called for an upward review of the ministry’s budgetary allocation, stressing that the current figure would barely make a dent in the nation’s road development agenda.

“We plead with you to help us. N800 billion cannot do anything for us. It cannot address our road needs, and so we plead with you to help us,” the Minister told the lawmakers.

Umahi who emphasised the importance of adequate funding to complete ongoing projects and initiate critical new ones across the country, also stressed that borrowing was a necessary step to bridge the infrastructure gap and stimulate economic growth.

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The Minister underscored the potential economic impact of infrastructure development, stating that it would create jobs and boost local economies.

“When the nation is in recession, you have to borrow money and invest in infrastructure. That is how you emerge from a recession. Infrastructure is a catalyst for economic activities, and this hunger we talk about will become a thing of the past,” he explained.

“Food sellers, sand suppliers, gravel workers, and others will benefit. Support Mr. President, and let’s borrow money to build infrastructure so Nigeria can be great again,” he added.

In response, Chairman of the Committee, assured Umahi that the committee would summon the Minister of Finance and the Head of the Budget Office to clarify the rationale behind the ministry’s limited allocation.

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The session also provided an opportunity for the Minister to address lawmakers’ concerns about the state of roads nationwide, with assurances that the government remains committed to completing ongoing projects.

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NASS Joint Committee Suspends Fire Service Budget Over Irregularities

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By Gloria Ikibah

The National Assembly Joint Committee on Interior has suspended the budget defence of the Federal Fire Service (FFS) following significant discrepancies in the agency’s 2024 budget performance and 2025 proposal.

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At a hearing chaired by Senator Adams Oshiomhole and his counterpart from the House, Chaired by Abdullahi Aliyu Ahmed, lawmakers flagged irregularities, including contradictory figures and inadequate documentation.

The committee uncovered discrepancies in the procurement of firefighting trucks, with similar units priced at N1.5 billion in one instance and N2.5 billion in another, despite being from the same supplier and of identical specifications.

The FFS Controller General, Jaji Abdulganiyu Idris, attributed the difference to variations in tanker sizes but failed to provide adequate supporting documentation.

Senator Oshiomhole criticized the inconsistencies, stating, “This reeks of over-padding or over-invoicing. Your written submission does not align with your explanation, and we cannot overlook this.”

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Lawmakers also raised concerns about unclear contract commitments and an outstanding payment of N603 billion for ongoing projects, which lacked proper specifications.

Oshiomhole emphasized fiscal responsibility, saying, “Every N10 wasted by MDAs adds up. Our duty is to ensure that every naira benefits Nigerians, especially the poor.”

The committee further queried the FFS over unverified revenue remittances. Idris presented manual receipts as evidence, but the lawmakers rejected them, demanding proper bank statements and confirmation from the Accountant-General’s office.

As a result, the committee stepped down the FFS budget defence, instructing the agency to rectify its submission. Oshiomhole warned, “Submit a revised presentation with accurate figures, or risk zero allocation in 2025.”

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The decision underscores the lawmakers’ commitment to accountability and efficient use of public funds, urging the FFS to address the issues promptly to secure its funding.

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